Emulsifying apparatus



Aug. '5. 1924-. 1,503,646

G. L. FISH EMULS I FYING APPARATUS Filed March 1. 192-3 2 Shams-Sheet. 1

Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

I 1,503,646 PATENT. OFFICE.

= GEORGE L. FISH, orv LONG BEACH, oauroamtanmursmmc APPARATUS.

Application filed March 1, Serial lilo. 622,5105.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GEoR E L. Then, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Long Beach, county of Los' Angeles, and State ofCalifornia, have'invented, new and useful Improvements in an Emulsifying Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus'for mixing and emulsifying, on a commercial scale, liquids and oils, etc., which do not readily mixor combine, and in fact any substance, liquid, semi-liquid or plastic 'material. which contains two or more ingredients.

The object of the invention is to generally improve'and simplify the construction and operation of an apparatus of this character. I accomplish this object by first combining and mixing in predetermined'proportions the ingredients required; secondly, subjecting the emulsion tov afairly low pressure; third, again subjecting the ingredients to an emulsifying action; fourth, then subjecting the emulsion.,to a high pressure; and fifth,

finally projecting the emulsion into a chain'- ber contained under comparatively low pressure.

The apparatus employed for the purpose of emulsifying the ingredients, subjecting the emulsion to low pressure, again mixing or further emulsifying the ingredients and subjecting them to a high pressure, and finally releasing the ingredients in a chamber maintained under low pressure, will be more fully described, having reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus employed.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on line 3-3, Fig. 1. v

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section on lme 44, Fig. 1. s I

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the by-pass valve. Referring to the drawings in'detail, and

I particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, A indicates in general a high pressure pump which is divided into two sections as indicated at B and C. The section B consists of three cylinders, the pistons. of which operate in unison, and the section C consists of three cylinders, the pistons of which operate in successive order, that is, the pistons are driven by a crank shaft and the cranks are set 120 apart, while the cranks operating uprights or columns 3 in which are formed suitable bearings for its reception. Each cylinder is provided with a piston as indi- --ated at 5 and each piston is connected with its respective crank through means of a connectmg rod 6. The ingredient or liquid is delivered to the cylinder of the first unit B,

which is indicated at 7, another li uid to the cylmder 8, and air-to the cylin er 9, the pipes delivering the ingredients and air bemg indicated at 10,11, and 12, respectively.

nterposed between the pipes 10,.11 and 12, and their respective cylinders, are valve cages such as indicated at 13. These cages are all identical in construction and the de scription of one will, therefore, sufiice. The

arrangement of the valves in the cages 13 is perhaps best illustrated in Fig. 3. ,Thereare two valves in each. cage and they are nothing more or less than ordinary types of check valves which operate intermittently. The liquid delivered by the pipe 10 passes the check indicated at 14 and as such enters 4 the mam passage 15, which is in communication with the cylinder chamber. Mounted in the passage and transversing the same is a second check 16 which serves the function of normally closing communication between the passage 15 and an auxiliary passage 17.

This auxiliary passage is connected with a common main indicated at 18 and this is in turn connected with a by-pass valve 19 through means of a pipe 20, which will hereinafter be described.

Arranged on the discharge side of each of the cylinders 7, 8, and 9, are identical valve cages as indicated at 21. These valve cages also carry two checks and these checks seat in the same direction so as to form a double check, that is, liquid admitted to the cylinder 7 passes through the check-14, the passage 15, and enters the cylinder 7 during the upward stroke of the piston. This llquid discharges through the cage 21 during the downward stroke as the check valve.14 closes and the check 16 normally remains closed. The liquid will, therefore, necessarily discharge through the cage 21 and as such passes through a check valve 22 and enters a chamber 23. It passes from said chamber throu h a b -pass passa 'e 24 and enters a secon chamiier 25. It then passes through a check valve 26 and finally discharges into as the pistons in the respective cylinders op-. erate in unison. Hence, it will be seen that the cylinder 7 discharges a predetermined quantity of one liquid into the main 27, the cylinder 8 a predetermined quantity of another liquid, and the cylinder 9 a predetermined volume of air. These predetermined volumes of liquids and air enter and mix in the main 27 and a partial emulsion is here formed. This emulsion is delivered to the mixing chamber E, which contains a series of fine screens, such as shown at 30. A "substantially complete emulsion is here formed which is discharged through the pipe 28 and delivered to the second main in icated at 29 which connects with the second pumping unit indicated at C. The emulsion formed in the*mixin chamber E and carried by the pipe 28 and t e main 29 is subjected to a fairly low pressure, in most instances not exceeding 100 pounds per square inch, and it is delivered under this pressure to the respective cylinders of the second pumping unit as will now be described.

The cylinders in the second pumping unit are indicated at 31, 32 and 33. These cylinders are identical and have the same area stroke and capacity. Duplicate 'or identical valve cages are employed in connection with each cylinder and the description of one will, therefore, sufiice. There is a valve cage located on the intake side of each cylinder which is generally indicated at 34, and there is a valve cage located on the discharge side of each cylinder generally indicated at 35. The valve cages 34 and 35 are identical and in fact are identical with the valve cage indicated at 21, the only difference being that one valve cage is reversed with relation to the other as shown in Fig. 4, that is, referring to Fig. 4, the emulsion delivered to the second main 29 enters the cylinder 31 through the cage valve 34, that is, it first enters a chamber 36, then passes by a check valve 37 into a chamber 38. It is transferred from this chamber through a by-pass passage 39 into a chamber 40 andcpasses from i g he upward stroke of the piston and is 05 discharged? through a discharge port 42 dura constant and uniform high ing the upward stroke as the check valve 41 closes. The emulsion thus discharging enters a chamber 43 in the cage Valve 35. It then passes a check valve 44 and enters a chamber 45 from where it is transferred through a by-pass passage 46 into a chamber 47. The emulsion passes from this chamber past a check valve 48, and then discharges into a third main generally indicated at 50. The combined capacity of the three cylinders indicated at 31, 32 and 33, is equal to the combined capacity of the cylinders indicated at 7, 8 and 9. A uniform flow or continuous movement of the emulsion is thus maintained and the pressure is stepped up or increased when the emulsion discharges from the respective cylinders 31, 32 and 33 of the second unit, the pressure in some instances exceeding 3000 pounds or more per square inclnfithis pressure being obtained when the emulsion is discharged into the third main indicated at 50, and the pressure is maintained on the emulsion until it is discharged through an expansion valve or spray nozzle generally indicated at 51.

To permit re-circulation and to maintain pressure in the main 50 and the pipe 52 with which the spray nozzle 51 is connected, the by-pass pipe 20 and the valve 19 are employed. The by-pass valve is perhaps best illustrated in ig. 5. This valve is also a check valve inasmuch as the valve which is indicated at 53 is normally maintained on its seat by means of a spring 54. The tension ofthis spring is adjusted by means of a screw 55 or a similar device and as such ,makes it possible to retain the valve 53 on its seat until a predetermined pressure is reached. The moment this pressure, which for instance may be 3000 pounds, is reached the valve opens and the emulsion delivered to the pipe 52 will enter'the intake port 56'of thevalve and then discharges through the port indicated at 57, which connects with the by-p'ass pipe 20. This pipe is in turn connected with the return main indicated at 18, and as the mixture enters the main under high. pressure, it is obvious that the check valves 16 connected with the respective cylinders 7, 8 and 9, will open and that the returned emulsion will be equally distributed to these three cylinders to be again re-circ-ulated throughout the system as previously described. 1

By generally reviewing the pumping unit here illustrated, it will be seen that means are provided for mixing two, three or more liquids under pressure, this means being illustrated by the cylinders indicated at 7,

8 and 9, thevalve cages 21, the main 27,-

and the mixing chamber E. Means are also employed for the purpose of subjecting this emulsion to'a low pressure, the means employed being the same pumps already specified. Means are then employed for increasing the pressure on the emulsion and for maintaining the pressure until the emulsion is liberated by the spray or expansion valve employed. Means are also employed for re-ci-rculating the emulsion when predetermined pressures are reached.

The valve cages indicated at 13 serve only two functions, mitting the liquids and air employed, and secondly, that of re-admitting any liquid by-pass by the valve 19. The valve cages indlcated'at 21 serve only one main function, -to-wit, that of preventing liquid under pressure from re-entering the cylinders dur-' ing the suction stroke of the pistons or' plungers. The valve cages indicated at 34- and 35 serve two functions, to-wit, that of mixing or further emulsifying the liquid, and secondly, that of preventing back-pressure or leakage through the cylinders, that is, the 'li uids and air delivered to the first main indlcated at 27 are more or less mixed the moment they combine in the main. They are further, mixed when passing throu h the screens of the mixing chamber E an they are still their passage throu at 34 and 35 and t 33. In other words, mixture or emulsion h the valves indicated e cylinders 31, 32 and a mechanically perfectis obtained when the liquid finally enters the main indicated at and as it is subjected impregnating mg the emulsion to to an exceedingly high pressure at this point, the emulsion is maintained, and the ingredients remain, as

an emulsion until discharged. 'It might-here be stated that the liquids are impregnated with air. This is of great importance as one of the features of the invention is that of first formlng an emulsion of the liquids and the same, with air or some other expansible medium; secondly, subjecthigh pressure, and third, instantly lowering the pressure to produce final disruption and homogeneous mixing of the liquids. For. instance, if it is desired to manufacture mayonnaise or consists of oil, eggs, pepper, etc., it is possible to quickly and readily form amechan- ,ieally perfect emulsion by delivering the oil, containing mustard, vinegar, salt andlinder 7, the eggs to the 'is formed when pe per," to the cy cy inder 8, and onto the cylinder 9. These cylinders discharge the respective liquids or ingredients in predetermined proportions into the first main .where they combine and mix to a certain extent. A partial emulsion the mixture passes through the screens in the mixing chamber and the quality of the emulsion is further increased.

,when the mixture passes through the numerous check valves and the cylinders in the "second pumping unit. The quality of the emuls on is again improved when it is to-wit, that of primarily ad-.

further mixed during placed under high pressure, and it reaches its final stage of perfection or completion when the emulsion is liberated by the expansion valve into a receiving tank or like receptacle which is maintained under atmospheric pressure, that is, the emulsion is mechanically and thoroughly mixed by the action of the pumps and the mixing action of the screens and the numerous check valves through which it passes. It is furthermore impregnated with air, which is subjected to high pressure, when the emulsion reaches the last main.' This air expands in almost explosive rapidity when the emulsion is discharged by the expansion valve and as such causes a minute disruption and final mixing of the ingredients employed. The emulsion in reality leaves the expansion valve as a finely divided vapor, but this vapor condenses when it strikes the walls of the container or receiver and as such runs down and collects as a liquid or an emulsion in the container. If it 18 desired to re-circulate the emulsion ,to further improve its quality, it is possible to artially or-completely'close the expansion va ve, thus causing the pressure in the ma'into build up until the bypass valve opens; The emulsion will then by-pass and as such will be recirculated through the several cylinders as many times as desired, but actual practice shows that one circulation is usually all that is required.

The importance of first emulsifying the liquids, then impregnating them with air and subjecting the emulsion to a high pressure, should be obvious as it is the air Y under high pressure which-expands in almost explosive rapidity, thus finally dividing and mixing the liquids or other ingredientsemployed.

To maintain any pressure desired in the pipe line indicated at 28, which has heretofore been referred to as approximating 100 pounds, I employ a check valve such as ind'icated at 60. This check valveis identical to the by-pass valve indicated at19yand as this is the case itis-possible to adjust the spring so that any pressure desired may be obtained.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to. secure by Letters Patent is 1. An apparatus for mixing and emulsifying liquids and the like, embodylng means for mix ng and emulsifying a plural ty of liquids, means for subjecting "the emulsion to a high pressure, and means for instantly lowering the pressure by projecting the emulsion into acontainerj maintained under atmospheric pressure to produce a final mixingand an; emulsifying action.

2. An apparatus for mixing and emulsifying liquids and the like, embodying means for mixing and emulsifying in predetermined proportions 'a. plur ity of liquids, meansfor impregnating t e'emulsion with an expansible medium, means for subjecting the emulsion when impregnated with an expansible medium to a high pressure, and means for instantly lowering the pressure projecting the emulsion into a container maintained underpa. pressure so low that the impregnated emulsion is permitted to explosively expand as it enters the container and thereby cause afinal mixing and emulsifying action.

v 3. An apparatus for mixing andlemulsi- .fying liquids and the like, embodying W to the individual cylinders 0 means for mixing and emulsifying in predetermined proportions a plurality of liquids, means for impregnatingthe emul-v sion withair, means for subjecting the emulsion when impregnated with air to high pressure, and means for delivering the im-' named unit, means for combining and emulsifying the-liquids after d1 discharged from the cylindersof the first pumping unit, means for transferring the emulsion and pumping it through the individual cylinders of the second pumping unit, means for subjecting the emulsion to high pressure after it leaves the cylinders of the second unit, and means for delivering the emulsion under high pressure through an expansion valve when the pressure is ins'tantly lowered to atmospheric pressure.

5. An emulsifying'apparatus comprising-a pumping unit, said unit embodying a plurality of cylinders of varying areas, means for delivering a plurality of liquids to the cylinders of the pumping unit, one liquid .to each unit, means for delivering air to one cylinder, means for combining and mixing the air and the liquids after they are discharged by the respective cylinders of the pumping units to form an emulsion which isim'preg nated with air, means for-subjecting said emulsion to a high pressure, and, aspra valve connected with said means throug whiehthe impregnated emulsion under high pressure is released and the impregnated emulsion permitted to explosively expand when discharged.

. I GEQRGELQFISH.

ey have 

